BVM Corporation Maintenance Manual: Pneumatic / Hydraulic Tubing Spider
BVM Corporation Maintenance Manual: Pneumatic / Hydraulic Tubing Spider
BVM Corporation Maintenance Manual: Pneumatic / Hydraulic Tubing Spider
Safety
CAUTION: Practice safety in the operation and maintenance and use only approved
safety methods, materials and tools. Keep hands away from any pinch point or
undesignated areas. The lifting procedures should be observed carefully and carried out
according to this manual. BVM equipment is designed for specific functions and
application and should be used only for its intended purpose, which is limited to vertical
lifting / driving tubular goods, making up and breaking out tubular connections and must
not be used for any other purpose.
WARNING: Spiders which have experienced wear beyond established wear criteria set by
OEM, or are found to have cracks must be replaced or repaired by a BVM authorized
repair facility.
WARNING: Only original BVM parts may be used. Spiders are produced from cast alloy
heat treated steel and must not be welded in the field. Improper welding can cause cracks
and brittleness in heat-affected areas which can result in dramatic weakening of the part
and possible failure. Repairs involving welding and/or machining should be performed
only by a BVM authorized repair facility. Using a Spider that has been improperly welded
or repaired is dangerous.
NOTE: The owner and user together with the manufacturer should jointly develop and
update inspection, maintenance, repair and remanufacture procedures consistent with
Load test
WARNING: BVM spiders are load tested after manufacture or repair. Load testing is
mandatory on spiders which have not been load tested before. Load testing is required on
spiders which have been overloaded, for example jarring operations or operations that
have induced spiders to high accelerations or high impact loads. In addition, after the load
test, an annual inspection should be performed.
Confidentiality Statement
This document contains proprietary and confidential information, which is the property of
BVM Corporation. No use or disclosure is to be made without the express written consent
of BVM Corporation.
Note: Original Instructions are published in English; in the event the end-user may wish to
obtain a translation of these in the official language of the country in which the machinery is to
be used please contact your local BVM representative or BVM directly. Please note that this
service may not be free of charge. Original Instruction can be downloaded from
www.bvmcorp.com
Contents
Safety ............................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Description ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Specifications ................................................................................................................................. 4
Installation ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Operation ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Lubrication ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Inspection ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Assembly ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Storage & Transportation ............................................................................................................ 12
Critical Area Drawings ................................................................................................................ 13
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................... 14
Risk Assessment According to EN-ISO 12100:2010 .................................................................. 15
Recommended Spares .................................................................................................................. 15
Assembly drawing and List of Parts ............................................................................................ 16
Description
The BVM Tubing Spider is a pneumatically or hydraulically operated tool capable of handling
tubing sizes up to 5-1/2” and comes in a capacity of either 83 or 125 tons. The purpose of the
Tubing Spider assembly is to support the tubing string when it is lowered into or raised from the
well bore of an oil or gas well. The bore of the tubing spider assembly is located and held in
position over the wellhead and blowout preventer system.
The tubing spider assembly operates from pressure that forces a cylinder to move a piston. The
piston is connected to the slip assembly via lift arms, crankshafts and link. When the piston
moves in one direction, the slip assembly moves “up”, which prevents the teeth on the slip
inserts from engaging or supporting the tubing string. If the piston moves in the other direction,
the slip assembly moves “down”, which causes the teeth of the slip inserts to contact, engage,
and support the tubing string, if the tubing string is lowered slightly. The location of the valve
for controlling the pressure to the cylinder is easily accessible by the rig crew operator. If the
tubing spider needs to support the tubing string for an extended period of time, the accidental
operation of the valve might cause the tubing spider to release the tubing string. The valve needs
protection from such a potential accident. Also, engage the safety latch to prevent the link from
moving to release the holding slip assembly.
The slip insert size needs to match the size of the tubing string, or the Tubing Spider will not
support the tubing string.
When the rig crew operates the tubing spider assembly, they need to watch of operational and
functional problems. This monitoring might reveal necessary maintenance or repair
requirements.
Keep fingers, hands, feet, etc. away from the moving lift arm and slip assembly and from the
moving link and Crank Shafts to prevent possible bodily injury to the rig crew. Also carefully
route the pressure hoses to the Tubing Spider, control valve, and pressure sources in order to
prevent a “trip hazard” or to interfere with personnel movement on the rig floor.
Approximate Weight
Spider (Less Slips) 348 lbs 158 kg
Operating Pressure
Pneumatic 90 to 120 psi 620 to 827 kPa
Hydraulic 300 to 500 psi 2068 to 3447 kPa
Dimensions
Gate opening 5-3/4” 146 mm
Bowl opening 6 ½” 165 mm
Base 18-1/4 x 18-1/2” 463 x 470 mm
Height 18” 457 mm
Base bolt slot centers 13 to 16” 330 to 406 mm
Approximate Cycle Time
To Set Slips One Second
To Release Slips Two Seconds
Quick Disconnects
The hoses are fitted with quick disconnects. Before a connection is made, inspect the end faces
of the quick disconnect. If any foreign material is present, then carefully remove the debris with
a lint free rag or towel. Dust caps and plugs should be used with the quick disconnects to protect
the ends and minimize contact with debris.
Inspection
Before moving the spider over the well, ensure the correct size slip assembly and inserts match
the tube diameter. After the lines are connected, cycle the cylinder and observe the linkage
system to see if there are any functional problems. Disconnect the lines before moving the
tubing spider.
Mounting
The Spider must be secured over the wellhead. The slotted holes in the base could be used to
bolt the Spider to an adapter plate. There are also eyes on the spider where it can be chained
down.
Warning:
• The load rating of the Spider should never be exceeded. Both the static and dynamic
loads must be calculated to ensure safe working loads.
• Make sure the spider is used with the correct size, tubing or pipe (per specifications).
Undersized or oversized pipe could cause uneven stress distribution. Inadequate load-
bearing area, and possible Spider failure.
• Spiders are made from cast alloy steel and should not be welded in the field. Improper
welding can cause cracks and brittleness in repaired area and can result in drastic
weakening of the Spider and Parts and possible Failure.
• Repairs which involve welding and or machining by others that is not authorized by
BVM will void the warranty.
• Using a Spider which has been improperly welded can result in serious bodily harm and
property damage.
• Never use the Spider other than what it is intended for: size and tonnage, which is clearly
marked on Spider.
• Only use the Spider within the specified temperature rating, which is -4°F to 131°F
unless otherwise specified.
Note: If a Spider is used despite the above warnings BVM voids all warranties.
Depending on the setup of the control valve, pressure applied to the cylinder will either cause it
to extend or retract. This cylinder moves the slip assembly via lift arms, crankshafts and links.
Slip Assembly
The slip assembly must correlate with the size of tubing being held. The following instructions
are for the replacement of the slip assembly or inserts. Refer to the warning section of the
manual before working on the spider.
Slip Replacement
Follow the steps below. Refer to the parts drawing in this manual for a visual aid.
1. Use the pneumatic/hydraulic system to hold the slip bodies in the raised position.
2. Loosen and remove the nut from the bolt that secures the slip to the lift arm. Lift the slip
assembly out of the spider. Repeat for the other side.
3. Replace with the new slip assemblies with inserts already installed. Note: The slip
assembly halves are a machined set and must always be kept together. Align the bottom
slip hole with the hole in the lift arm and secure using a new bolt and nut. Tighten the
nut until the end of the bolt is flush with the end of the nut. Repeat for the other side. Do
not over tighten as it is necessary for the slip to float relative to the lift arm.
4. Function test the slip to verify correct operation before usage.
Insert Replacement
Use the following steps as a guide. Refer to the parts drawing in this manual for a visual aid.
1. Use the pneumatic/hydraulic system to hold the slip bodies in the raised position.
2. Remove the four cotter pins.
Lubrication
See below for BVM recommendations for grease / lubricants:
General
Lubricate the grease fittings to the four crankshaft bushings and to the two bushings with Shell
B&B code 70919 or equivalent.
Slot Coating
Coat the insert slot with a corrosion preventative ISO-L-REE according to ISO 6743-8:1987.
Annual Inspection
Evaluation of indications:
Relevant indications: Only those indications with major dimensions greater than 1/16 Inch
(1.6mm) and associated with a surface rupture shall be considered relevant. Relevant indications
are indications that results from, discontinuities within the test part. Non relevant indications are
indications that results from excessive magnetizing current, structural design or permeability
variances within the test parts. Any indication believed to be non-relevant shall be regarded as
relevant and shall be re-examined to determine whether an actual defect exists. Linear
indications shall be considered as those having a length of more than three times the width.
Rounded indications shall be considered as those having a length less than three times the width.
A lined indication shall be considered as a group of three more indications which touch an
imaginary straight line connecting any two of the group.
Note: Only BVM authorized repair facilities are allowed to repair spiders with indications
outside the acceptance criteria.
Lubricator Maintenance
Note: Have spill kit nearby in case of spill while performing this maintenance operation.
Regulator/Filter Maintenance
1. Open petcock at bottom of the bowl and drain accumulated water.
2. Remove filter element and clean every 3 months or more often if required.
Caution: Plastic bowl can be damaged and fail if strong solvents are used for cleaning.
Bushing Replacement
Use the following steps as a guide. Refer to the data sheet for a visual aid.
1. Use the pneumatic/hydraulic system to hold the slip bodies in the raised position.
2. Remove the slip assemblies per the instructions found in the operation section.
3. Release the pressure on the cylinder allowing it to extend. Bleed any remaining pressure
out of the cylinder.
4. Loosen and remove the nut on the bolt that pins the cylinder yoke to the link. Remove
the bolt, and rotate the cylinder so that the yoke is away from the link.
5. The link is held onto the left and right hand crank shafts by two external retaining rings.
Remove these rings so the link can be removed.
6. There are two bushings in the link. Using a press or bushing puller, remove these
bushings from the link and discard. Install two new bushings into the link. Set the link
aside.
7. Rotate the lift arms so the taper pins are exposed. These taper pins connect the lift arms
to the crank shafts. Drive out the taper pins and set aside.
8. Loosen and remove the set screws that hold the lift arms to the crank shafts. Set the set
screws aside.
9. Remove the crank shafts from the spider by lightly tapping the ends. Set these aside
along with the lift arms and spacers.
10. Bushings are located in the spider body in four locations. Using a press or bushing
puller, remove these bushings from the body and discard. Install four new bushings into
the body.
11. Reassemble the Tubing Spider (page 12).
1. Replace the old cranks shafts and lift arms with new ones using the instructions in the
bushing replacement section. Reassembly will stop when the taper pins are to be
installed. The replacement crank shafts do not have holes drilled through them.
Pressure Test
Conduct a pressure test to verify the integrity of the air circuit and the condition of the cylinder
seals as follows:
1. Add a ball valve and pressure gauge to the air supply line according to schematic below:
1. Install the left hand crank shaft into the spider body. When inserting the shaft, put the
spacer and lift arm back in their correct positions.
2. Repeat for the right hand crank shaft.
3. Install the link onto the left and right hand crank shafts. Hold the link arm onto the shafts
by the two retaining rings.
4. Move the link to the left. Rotate and shift the lift arm on the crank shaft until the holes
for the taper pins are aligned. Drive the taper pins back through the lift arm and crank
shaft. Install the set screw and tighten to hold these two parts in relation to each other.
5. Repeat the above for the right hand crank shaft.
6. Align the cylinder yoke with the hole in the link. Insert the bolt and tighten the nut until
the nut edge is flush with the end of the bolt.
7. Install the slip assemblies back onto the lifting arms.
8. Function test the spider to verify proper operation.
Recommended Spares
Note: insert sets are removable for sizes 3-1/2 and 4-1/2. Inserts are integrated into the body for
other sizes. For removable inserts, 4x of PN 65601 (retainer pin) and 992012-44 (cotter pin) are
required.